Commissioner not part of Troy Police Chief John Tedesco's proposed 2013 budget

TROY -- The city's public safety and law departments were on the agenda for Tuesday's budget hearing, during which the topic of a possible police commissioner was quickly dismissed and council members questioned why the city's budget for judgments and claims took a jump.

Police Chief John Tedesco went through his department's budget with members of the City Council on Tuesday and explained some of the expenditure requests. Tedesco announced plans to get rid of the ShotSpotter system, which is meant to record and notify police of gun shots, saying the technology was inadequate.

He also discussed the purchase of a new van to be used to transport prisoners from city court to Rensselaer County Jail after their arraignments. Although he explained that prisoners become the responsibility of the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Department once they are remanded to Rensselaer County Jail, Tedesco says that his department has been taking care of their transportation to the facility.

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Tedesco estimated that the van, including the installation of bars in the windows, would cost around $29,000, and would help reduce the amount of trips the department takes to the jail. Rosamilia, though, said it is an issue the City is taking up with the Rensselaer County Sherriff's Department.

"My understanding is, once the prisoner is arraigned, and transported to county jail, he should be the county's responsibility," Rosamilia said, adding attorneys from both sides have exchanged memos on the topic.

When it came time for council members to ask questions, Councilman Mark McGrath took the opportunity to ask a question many have heard rumors about: whether or not the City would hire a part-time police commissioner.

"If you have additional money, let's say $30,000, what would you do with it? Hire a police commissioner or another cop on the street?" McGrath, R-District 2, asked.

"More cops," Tedesco quickly responded.

There was no further discussion after that.

The council also went through the Law Department where judgments and claims is budgeted for $250,000, a number Corporation Counsel Ian Silver said is reasonable, compared to some settlements reached in 2012.

There was also some discussion regarding a case brought against the City by the Ceccucci family, in which Samara Ceccucci's vehicle was hit by a Troy Police cruiser without any emergency lights or sirens on.

Settling that issue is on the agenda for Thursday night's monthly council meeting, except this time Silverman won't be asking for permission to settle. Instead, the council will direct him to. McGrath said he doesn't believe the council is allowed to settle lawsuits or award damages. Silverman agreed.

"It's corporation counsel's job when we believe it's in the best interest of the city to present a settlement for approval," Silverman said. "Ultimately, in my opinion, if it's not in the best interest of the city to settle, then the council can't force me to settle. So, I agree."